26 November 2012

'Bringing Bob Home' - by-election candidate to make triumphant return to the Ferry

Author Neil Forsyth will next month bring Bob Servant home to Broughty Ferry, accompanied by 'Only an Excuse' star Jonathan Watson, ahead of his comic creation's TV debut.

The event will see Watson play the rum-swilling businessman, (anti?) hero of Dundee, and would-be Member of Parliament, at Castle Green Hall from 7pm on Friday, 7th December. It is organised by Literary Dundee, a University of Dundee initiative to promote interest in literature.

Watson features in the upcoming BBC series 'Bob Servant Independent' as Frank, the eponymous lead's much put-upon sidekick. He'll be temporarily stepping into Servant's shoes and will be joined by local actors to bring to life scenes from the original Bob Servant books.

Neil will introduce the readings and share the genesis of the character, who will be portrayed by Dundee-born Hollywood star Brian Cox on the small screen.

'Bob Servant Independent' will premiere on BBC Four in early 2013. The sudden death of Broughty Ferry's sitting MP results in a by-election that could change the political map of the UK. Particularly if the Independent candidate Bob Servant esq can persuade voters that a stunning lack of intellect and complete ignorance of the political process shouldn't be an impediment to holding office.

It will be the first Bob-related event to take place in Broughty Ferry, where Neil was born and brought up. He says he is looking forward to taking Bob "home" and sharing his journey from pen to post-production with his fellow Ferry-ites.

"It's very exciting to have a Bob Servant event in Broughty Ferry" he said. "There have been events in Dundee and at the West End Festival but they might as well have been on the moon. Bob's humour travels about as far West as the Occidental Bar."

A graduate of New York Film School and President of the national football association of the Principality of Sealand, Neil is the author of six books, including three Bob Servant titles. He wrote both the BBC Radio 4 Bob Servant series, as well as the forthcoming TV adaptation.

'Bringing Bob Home' takes place at Castle Green Hall at 7pm on Friday, 7th December. Neil and Jonathan will spend some time signing autographs, swilling amber nectar and chatting with the local electorate afterwards

Tickets cost £5 and £3 (concessions) and are available by visiting Literary Dundee website or calling 01382 384413.

A clip from the upcoming series can be seen at BBC webiste

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277